Polka-Dotted Sidewalks

Nature astounds me, that's all there is to it! Every morning I take Gracie for her walk I am faced with the incredible artistry of God's creation.

Sunny days hold a special treat with the breathtaking sunrises, the gentle breezes of fresh air tippy-toeing across the wheat fields on the other side of the road.

Partly cloudy days astound me—this HUGE fluffy clouds like wads of pristine cotton floating in mid-air. The beauty of the clouds is only surpassed by their billowing majesty.

A few days ago I walked outside as it had just begun to rain. The air was cool, the clouds were hanging low, the trees were rustling with fall leaves floating to the ground and there they were … polka-dotted sidewalks. The grey concrete dotted with droplets of rain reminded me of my mother's favorite sandy colored dress with dark grey polka-dots. But even more incredible to me was the feeling of freshness—a brand new day, the air being cleansed by showers from heaven, the scent of fall leaves mixed with morning dew … such magnificence!

While wondering why I'm so taken by creation's beauty, I remembered how the Psalmist seemed to also be mesmerized by his surroundings. Look at Psalm 27:1-11 and see for yourself:

Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
He will judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.
The mountains will bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
He will defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
he will crush the oppressor.
He will endure as
long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.
He will be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.
In his days the righteous will flourish;
prosperity will abound till the moon is no more.
He will rule from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
The desert tribes will bow before him
and his enemies will lick the dust.
The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
will bring tribute to him;
the kings of Sheba and Seba
will present him gifts.
All kings will bow down to him
and all nations will serve him.
(Psalm 27:1-11)

Psalm 72 ends up with these words which seem to sum up my passion for the beauty of God's creation: "Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen." (Psalm 72:19)

After reading that, I don't feel so strange even if I see polka-dots on the sidewalks!

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© Jan Ross 2007
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